Today is January 16, 2024. My sympathy goes out to the Eagles and Steelers fans this morning. I would remind you, it’s only a game, played for our entertainment. A tradition that goes back thousands of years to the chariot races and the gladiators. We love to pick our favorite team and cheer for them. Just like we do in politics (Iowa was last night too). Moving on. Today is Appreciate a Dragon Day, Civil Service Day, International Hot & Spicy Food Day, Fig Newton Day, National Nothing Day, National Quinoa Day, Prohibition Remembrance Day, and Rid the World of Fad Diets & Gimmicks Day. On this day in the year 27 BC the title Augustus was given to Julius Ceasar by the Roman Senate making him Emperor. He would ask on his death bed “Have I played my part well in the comedy of life?” On this day in 1547 Ivan the Terrible, aged 17, crowned himself the 1st tsar of Moscow. On this day in 1581 the English parliament passed laws against Catholicism. This is the day in 1793 that French King Louis XVI was sentenced to death by the National Convention during the French Revolution. On this day in 1865 General William Sherman issued Field Order #15 which ordered that coastal land in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida be confiscated and redistributed (40 acres and a mule) to former slaves. This order was later revoked by President Andrew Johnson. This is the day in 1917 that the Zimmermann Telegram was sent from Germany to Mexico offering to give Mexico: Texas, Arizona and New Mexico if they entered WWI on this side of Germany. The telegram was intercepted by the British and released to the media shifting US public opinion in favor of entering the war against Germany. This is the day in 1933 that Susan Sontag was born. The writer and critic would die in 2004 which means that I can use her quotes for today. Susan said, “Few ever see what is not already inside their heads.” “It is easier to endure than to change. But, once one has changed, what was endured is hard to recall.” “Wherever people feel safe, they will be indifferent.” I’ll end with this one, which I’ve used before: “10 percent of any population is cruel, no matter what, and 10 percent are merciful, no matter what, and the remaining 80 percent can be moved in either direction.” Abide.
